5 Hacks for Summer Skincare to Try

Summer means more outdoor activities like going to the beach, pool parties, picnics, and other ways of having fun in the sun. While these activities require extra hydration and sun protection, it doesn’t mean covering up or staying indoors and missing out on all the hot weather activities. Try these five hacks to keep your skin healthy and glowing all summer long.

Sun Protection

The most important thing you can do for your skin during the summer months – the rest of the year too –  is to wear sunscreen, cautions Healthline. Use a sunscreen that has a SPF of at least 30, offers broad spectrum protection, and is waterproof if you want to swim. Use lip protection too. Remember to keep reapplying sunscreen every two hours if you are out in the sun.

 “The most important thing is that you need to protect your skin from the sun,” Elizabeth Mullans, MD, a board-certified dermatologist told Healthline. If you don’t do that, she added, “your skin will age faster and increase your risk of skin cancer.”

There is a myriad of mineral based – which are physical blockers –, natural, and hypoallergenic sunscreens on the market. Of course, according to Mullans, “The best sunscreen for someone is the sunscreen that person will use.”

Use Moisturizer

While the air isn’t as dry in the summer, it is still important to moisturize your skin. But, you can use a lighter one in the summer. Mullans recommends finding a moisturizer that has an SPF of 30 as a way of adding an extra layer of protection to your skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

To keep sweat and oil from clogging your pores is to switch to non-comedogenic skincare and makeup products during the summer.

Wash Your  Face

Since people are outdoors and sweating more during the summer, washing your face is an essential step in skincare according to InStyle, and don’t forget to include your hairline as well.  Summer breakouts are common due to clogged pores.

“This is when it’s time to bring out the big guns such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid-containing washes,”  Dr. Karan Lal, a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey told InStyle. “These washes will unclog your pores and also kill off acne-producing bacteria.”

Exfoliate Weekly

It’s best during the summer to use a gentle exfoliant once or twice a week, according to Healthline, but don’t overdo it. “You’ll get a windburned look, and the skin gets tight, cracked, and scaly, if you do it too often,”  Barry Goldman, MD, a New York based board-certified dermatologist told Healthline. “Your skin is turning over anyway. You just want to remove the debris from the sweat, SPF, and oil.” He cautions not to exfoliate if you are sunburned. It’s best just to let the skin heal naturally.

Cover Up

Don’t forget to cover up, according to WebMD. You can protect yourself by wearing a hat that covers your scalp and ears. Some hats and other clothing are actually designed to ward off ultraviolet rays and come with an Ultraviolet Protection factor (UPF) rating. This allows the clothing to essentially act like a really good sunscreen.

But you do not have to purchase a new summer wardrobe. Clothing made from unbleached cotton and high luster polyesters can absorb or prevent UV rays from reaching your skin. And darker colored materials absorb UV light and keeps it away from your body.